In a bombshell, former Fox News insider and current Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused the cable news network of spreading “fake news” Thursday about President Donald Trump’s administration.
Hegseth said Fox News’ national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin decision to share a politically charged Democrat written letter on social media, which questioned his government housing repair request, was because she was a Democrat herself.
Hegseth shared that Griffin’s hate for the Trump administration was well known, and said she was intentionally spinning the letter.
“Any/all house repairs were going to happen no matter who was moving in—and were all initiated by DoD,” Hegseth wrote on X. “But Dems/Jen don’t care about facts; they’re just Trump haters.”
Fake News of the Day (not surprising from Democrats & @JenGriffinFNC; same thing)
Any/all house repairs were going to happen no matter who was moving in—and were all initiated by DoD.
But Dems/Jen don’t care about facts; they’re just Trump haters. https://t.co/vpaUqwTkru
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) February 8, 2025
In the politically charged letter, House Democrats demanded Hegseth explain several expenses, including a $49,000 emergency paint job for his 4,000-square-foot government residence.
Despite being in control of the White House for four years prior, Democrats in the February 7 letter claimed military families have been forced to “live in unacceptable housing conditions including houses with mold, lead paint, and other hazards.”
Democrats questioned why Hegseth, who earns $246,000 annually, opted to accept the government housing provided when his predecessor, Biden’s Lloyd Austin, lived in his private Virginia home.
“What commitment will you make to provide service members with a similarly high quality of housing for themselves and their families?” the committee wrote, setting a February 21 deadline for response.
The confrontation intensifies mainstream media criticism of President Trump’s cabinet as he and Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk implement widespread federal spending cuts.
Trump announced on Sunday that the penny would be discontinued in the latest effort to save money.
President Trump just cancelled production of the penny.
He should do the same for the nickel.
People have been calling for this for many years.
In this CBS Sunday Morning story from 9 years ago, they pointed out the absurdity of paying more to make coins than they’re worth. pic.twitter.com/MJRXQIeV1L
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) February 10, 2025
In his rebuttal, Hegseth claimed Griffin and Democrats were “the same thing” and “don’t care about facts.” The Defense Department has not released detailed renovation cost breakdowns.
Military housing experts note that while defense secretaries can use government residences, many are independently wealthy and choose to live in their private luxury homes.
Democrats in the House Appropriations Committee requested itemized expenses, timeline justifications for the “emergency” designation, and Hegseth’s planned rental payments by month’s end.